Convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover

ABSTRACT

A convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover may include a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of fabric material may have an upper fold line, a lower fold line, and a plurality of edges. At least two labels may be attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material. A plurality of fasteners may be attached to the at least two labels. A binding may surround the plurality of edges of the sheet of fabric material. The at least two labels may be secured between the binding and the sheet of fabric material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/816,438, filed Apr. 26, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant accessories and, more particularly, to a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover.

Currently, mothers carry around multiple baby products, which serve many different purposes. Two of these items are often baby blankets for travel and a securable nursing cover for breastfeeding privacy in public.

Some mothers opt to forego the purchase of a nursing cover, and instead throw a baby blanket over their shoulder for nursing privacy. This makes for one less baby item too purchase and carry; however, it is often pulled or kicked off by the baby easily, thereby compromising modesty and privacy.

The nursing covers available generally fall into two categories: One is primarily functional with a curtain-like semi-rigid hoop extending from the mother's neck/chest area, which allows her to view the baby. These nursing covers are not discreet. Other nursing covers are primarily a fashion accessory for mothers, such as shawls or scarves, which are discreet but not securable.

As can be seen, there is a need for a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover providing a mother the ability to view her nursing baby without a rigid apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover comprises: a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has a plurality of edges; at least two labels each attached along an edge of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for swaddling an infant comprises: folding along a lower fold line on a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover is defined by a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has an upper fold line, the lower fold line, and a plurality of edges; at least two labels attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels; placing an infant on the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover; and wrapping the infant with the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover, wherein the fasteners do not come in contact with the infant due to the folding of the sheet of fabric material.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a secure nursing cover with view of an infant comprises: placing a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover over an infant in front of a user, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover is defined by a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has an upper fold line, a lower fold line, and a plurality of edges; at least two labels attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels; folding the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover along the upper fold line; wrapping the fasteners around the neck of the user; and securing the fasteners around the neck of the user.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a fold along an edge stitching for swaddling;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a fold along an upper fold line for nursing; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating fastening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover that may include a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of fabric material may have an upper fold line, a lower fold line, and a plurality of edges. At least two labels may be attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material. A plurality of fasteners may be attached to the at least two labels. A binding may surround the plurality of edges of the sheet of fabric material. The at least two labels may be secured between the binding and the sheet of fabric material.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, a convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 may be made from a sheet of fabric material 12. In certain embodiments, the fabric material 12 may be cut into a square, rectangle or other shape. In certain embodiments, a binding 14 may surround a plurality of edges of the fabric material 12 of the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10. At least two labels 21, such as an instruction label 20, a logo label 22, or the like, may be attached to the fabric material 12 along an edge. The at least two labels may be attached by label stitching 34 along three sides of the label to fasten the label securely to the fabric material 12. An edge of the at least one instruction label 20 may be placed between the binding 14 and the fabric material 12. The at least one instruction label 20 may include an instructional text area 24 that may include instructional text 26, such as folding instructions or the like. The at least one logo label 22 may be placed along the binding 14 and attached to the fabric material 12. The at least one logo label 22 may have a logo area 28. A plurality of fasteners 17 may be attached to the instruction label 20 and to the logo label 22. In certain situations, the fasteners 17 may be snaps such as a female snap 16 and a male snap 18, with one of the female snap 16 and the male snap 18 attached to the instructional label 20 and the other one of the female snap 16 and the male snap 18 attached to the logo label 22. An edge stitching 36 may be sewn along the binding 14 of the fabric material 12, which may also secure an edge of each label 21 to the fabric material 12.

The fasteners 17, such as the female snap 16 and the male snap 18 may be small, low-profile and delicate, yet strong. When used as an infant's travel blanket, the fasteners 17 and labels 21 may likely go unnoticed. However, the snaps 16, 18 may used when the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 may be used as a nursing cover, as they allow a mother, or a user 40, to securely fasten the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 behind the neck of the user 40, so that an infant 38 does not kick or throw off the cover; thereby compromising privacy.

The labels 21 may be instructional and functional. The labels 21 may indicate where to fold the fabric for use as a nursing cover and baby swaddle. The labels 21 may also function as a medium for the fasteners 17 to be attached instead of attaching to the fabric material 12. The fasteners 17 may be fastened to the labels 21 alone, and then the labels 21 may be secured to the fabric itself.

This sequence may prevent the eventual tearing of the fabric material 12 from the pulling associated with releasing the fasteners 17.

A method of making the present invention may include the following steps. The fabric material 12 may be cut into a square shape, and then turned approximately forty-five degrees, so that a corner may be pointing straight up. The labels 21 may be cut at approximately forty-five degree angles on the one side that may be sewn into the binding 14. In certain embodiments, one male snap 18 may be attached to one of the instructional label 20 and the logo label 22. One female snap 16 may be attached to the other of the instructional label 20 and the logo label 22. The labels 21 may be pinned into their proper place along the upper edges of the fabric material 12 anywhere from approximately 15 inches-approximately 30 inches from the top corner. The labels 21 may be sewn into the binding 14 of the blanket on the approximately forty-five degree edge. The other three sides of each label 21 may be stitched to the fabric material 12 to finish securing them to the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10.

The size of the fabric material 12 may be larger or smaller and still serve the same function. The shape of the fabric may be a square, a rectangle, or the like and serve the same function. The corners of the fabric material 12 may be rounded or pointed and serve the same function. In certain embodiments, the edges of the fabric material 12 may be left as is, with serge, bound or the like. In certain embodiments, the fasteners 17 may be plastic snaps, metal snaps, hooks, buttons, or the like. The labels 21 may be any shape or size and serve the same function. The labels 21 may be sewn into the binding 14 on one side and stitched on the other three sides, the labels 21 may be stitched on all sides and serve the same function.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The user 40 may use the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 to swaddle the infant 38, to keep the infant 38 warm when traveling with the car seat or stroller, to nurse the infant 38 privately and discreetly, and the like. All of these features and uses may be wrapped into one invention, which may be both economical and convenient.

The open fabric material 12, without regard to fasteners 17 and labels 21 may function as an infant's blanket for travel. In certain embodiments, the fabric material 12 may be folded where indicated above the label 21 along an upper fold line 30. The upper fold line 30 may not be physically visible, just an extended imaginary line from above the instructional label 20 extending to above the logo label 22. Access to the fasteners 17 may be available to the user 40 to secure the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 behind the neck of the user 40. The fasteners 17 may be secured together behind the neck of the user 40. An opening may be available for the user 40 to view the infant 38 under the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 without a rigid apparatus. In this position, the convertible blanket and nursing cover 10 may have a stylish, natural look similar to a cowl neck drape.

The fabric material 12 may be folded where indicated, below the label along a lower fold line 32, and may cover the fasteners 17, so that the fasteners 17 may not come in contact with the skin of the infant 38 when the invention may be used as a swaddling blanket. The lower fold line 32 may not be physically visible, just an extended imaginary line from below the instructional label 20 extending to below the logo label 22.

In certain embodiments, a removable c-shaped rigid material may be inserted into a pocket along the imaginary upper fold line 30.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover comprising: a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has a plurality of edges; at least two labels each attached along an edge of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels.
 2. The convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover of claim 1, wherein the fabric material is rectangle shaped.
 3. The convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover of claim 1, further comprising a binding attached to and surrounding the plurality of edges of the sheet of fabric material, wherein an edge of the at least two labels may be secured under stitching of the binding to the sheet of fabric material.
 4. The convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover of claim 1, wherein the at least two labels comprises an instruction label and a logo label.
 5. The convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises a female snap and a male snap.
 6. The convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover of claim 1, wherein the sheet of fabric material has an upper fold line and a lower fold line.
 7. A method for swaddling an infant comprising: folding along a lower fold line on a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover is defined by a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has an upper fold line, the lower fold line, and a plurality of edges; at least two labels attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels; placing an infant on the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover; and wrapping the infant with the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover, wherein the fasteners do not come in contact with the infant due to the folding of the sheet of fabric material.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover further comprises a binding surrounding the plurality of edges of the sheet of fabric material, wherein an edge of the at least two labels may be secured under stitching of the binding to the sheet of fabric material.
 9. A method for providing a secure nursing cover with view of an infant comprising: placing a convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover over an infant in front of a user, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover is defined by a sheet of fabric material, wherein the fabric material has an upper fold line, a lower fold line, and a plurality of edges; at least two labels attached along at least two edges of the sheet of fabric material; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the at least two labels; folding the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover along the upper fold line; wrapping the fasteners around the neck of the user; and securing the fasteners around the neck of the user.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the convertible infant swaddling blanket and nursing cover further comprises a binding surrounding the plurality of edges of the sheet of fabric material, wherein an edge of the at least two labels may be secured under stitching of the binding to the sheet of fabric material. 